
Sounds too good to be true, right? But cashback is exactly that. A quiet little reward for buying things you were going to buy anyway.
No pressure. No selling. No awkward side hustles.
Just click through a cashback site before you shop, and boom – money back in your pocket.
I started using them a couple of years ago. Thought it’d be a faff. But I made £40 in my first month without changing a thing – just a couple of t-shirts, a change of broadband, and one extra click.
If you’re an introvert looking for a low-effort way to earn extra cash, this is a great place to start.
How Cashback Works In The UK

Still wondering how cashback is even possible?
Here’s the simple version:
- Retailers want more customers.
- Cashback sites help send those customers their way.
- So the retailer pays the cashback site a fee – and the site shares a cut with you.
That’s it. You click through the cashback site before shopping, and they track your visit. Once you buy something, they reward you with a chunk of that commission.
Same shop. Same price. Just with money back at the end.
I used to think there’d be a catch – but there isn’t. It’s just affiliate marketing behind the scenes. TopCashback and Quidco are two of the biggest in the UK, and they’re free to join.
A Quick Example from My Own Life
Last month, I needed to renew my broadband. Instead of going direct, I clicked through TopCashback first. Took 10 extra seconds—and I got £35 back just for switching providers.
It’s like getting rewarded for being slightly more organised. And once you’ve done it a couple of times, it becomes second nature.
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5 Cashback Sites That Are Worth Your Time

I’ve tested a bunch of cashback apps over the years. Some were clunky, some barely paid anything, and some just felt… dodgy.
These five? I still use them regularly. They’re easy, they’re legit, and they’ve quietly paid me back for stuff I was buying anyway.
TopCashback – Best for Big Retail Variety
This is my go-to. It works with thousands of shops – Amazon, ASOS, Boots, you name it – and usually offers some of the highest rates.
Why I use it: I’ve made over £200 just from normal shopping. And if you cash out as a gift card, you sometimes get a little bonus on top.
Sign up to Topcashback for free here and get a £10 bonus.
Quidco – Best for In-Store & Travel Cashback
Quidco’s great if you want something clean and easy to use. The site’s fast, the offers are solid, and it even tracks in-store spending if you link your card.
Quick win: I once earned cashback on a train ticket just by booking through Quidco – didn’t even realise it counted until I got the email.
Sign up to Quidco for free here and get a £20 bonus.
Custard – Best for Quick, Low-Effort Tasks
This one’s different. You’re not shopping – you’re grabbing quick offers like free trials, surveys, and switching deals. Some take 2–3 minutes and pay £5–£10.
Quick win: I did a broadband switch, cancelled a free trial, and earned £12. It’s great if you love ticking things off a list without leaving your sofa.
Sign up to Custard for free here and get a £3.50 bonus.
Swagbucks – Best for Cashback and Easy Side Tasks
Swagbucks isn’t just for surveys – there’s a whole cashback section where you can earn money back on shopping, subscriptions, and even takeaway.
Why I use it: I’ve earned cashback on things like Uber Eats, Currys, and even Spotify. Plus, if you fancy doing quick tasks like polls or watching videos, you can top up your balance even more.
Sign up to Swagbucks free here and get great rewards.
JamDoughnut – Best for Instant Rewards on Gift Cards
Before you shop, you buy a discounted gift card through the app (for places like ASDA, Sainsbury’s, Greggs). Then you spend the gift card and keep the instant cashback.
Quick win: I buy a Greggs gift card every couple of weeks. It takes 10 seconds, gets me money back on sausage rolls, and feels like a sneaky little win.
Sign up to JamDoughnut for free here.
The Stacking Trick: How to Squeeze Extra Cashback From Every Purchase

Want to turn a £2 reward into a £10 win? You just need to stack your savings – like a quiet cashback ninja.
It’s not complicated. You’re just layering a few smart steps on top of each other. Same shopping, more money back.
How to Stack Cashback Like a Pro
Let’s say you’re buying something online. Here’s the move:
Step 1: Start with a cashback site like TopCashback or Quidco
Step 2: Use a voucher code – only if it’s listed on the cashback site
Step 3: Pay with a cashback or rewards credit card (as long as you pay it off)
Step 4: Collect loyalty points like Clubcard, Nectar, or Boots Advantage
Bonus: Buy a discounted gift card through JamDoughnut before all of the above
You’re not doing more work – just making your usual habits smarter.
My Real-Life Stack: Walking Boots Edition
I needed new boots from Blacks. Instead of just buying them outright, I did this:
- Bought a gift card through JamDoughnut → instant cashback
- Clicked through TopCashback → extra cashback
- Applied a 10% discount code from their site
- Paid with my Chase debit card (1% cashback)
- Collected Blacks loyalty points
Took about three minutes longer. Saved over £20. Didn’t speak to a soul.
Final Tip: Keep It Simple, But Consistent
Once you start stacking, it becomes second nature. You’ll start spotting new opportunities every time you shop.
Just double-check the terms, take screenshots for big purchases, and don’t stress about perfection. Quietly beating the system feels very satisfying.
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Why Didn’t I Get My Cashback?! (And How to Avoid the Heartbreak)

You followed the steps. Clicked the cashback link. Placed the order. Then… nothing.
No cashback. No email. Just a haunting silence and a slightly overpriced takeaway.
Don’t worry – it’s happened to me too. Here’s how to avoid the most common cashback disasters.
Ad Blockers = Cashback Killers
Ad blockers can stop cashback from tracking properly.
Do this: Turn them off before clicking through the cashback site.
Don’t do this: Order a curry with your ad blocker on and cry when the £3 cashback never shows up. (True story.)
Using the Wrong Discount Code
Some voucher codes cancel your cashback – especially ones not approved by the cashback site.
Stick to codes listed on TopCashback or Quidco.
I once used a random promo code I found online and lost out on £12. Never again.
Click Trail Confusion
Too many clicks can break the cashback tracking.
Here’s the safe path:
Cashback site → Retailer → Add to basket → Checkout
Don’t click away, open 10 tabs, or compare prices after starting. It resets the tracking cookie – and your chance at cashback.
Not Everything Qualifies
Even if a store is listed, not every product is eligible.
Always check the small print – especially for:
- Sale items
- Voucher redemptions
- Specific product categories (e.g. gift cards, electronics)
It takes 10 seconds and could save you real money.
Final Tip: Screenshot Everything
If you’re making a big purchase, take a screenshot of:
- Your order confirmation
- The cashback “tracking” page (if shown)
It makes it way easier to file a claim if the cashback doesn’t track. I do this for anything over £20, especially broadband or insurance deals.
Totally worth it for peace of mind.
You’re Probably Missing Cashback on Stuff You Buy Every Week

Think cashback is just for trainers or tech? Not even close.
You can earn money back on things you’re already buying – without changing a single habit. Groceries, bills, takeaways… all fair game.
Everyday Spending That Pays You Back
Here are some surprisingly cashback-friendly purchases:
- Weekly food shop – Tesco, ASDA, Sainsbury’s (stack it with JamDoughnut gift cards for instant cashback)
- Broadband and mobile bills – Big payouts for switching via Quidco or TopCashback
- Insurance – Car, home, and even pet insurance can net £30–£50 cashback
- Streaming subscriptions – Spotify, Disney+, and Audible often run cashback promos
- Takeaways – Deliveroo and Just Eat regularly pop up with cashback offers
You don’t need to change what you buy – just how you buy it.
My Fast £50 Win
I got £50 back just for switching broadband through Quidco.
It took 10 minutes tops. No hassle, no calls. I needed a new provider anyway – this just made the decision a whole lot sweeter.
Before You Checkout, Check for Cashback
Here’s a tiny habit that pays off big:
Before you buy anything – especially subscriptions or big-ticket stuff – search for cashback first.
It takes 30 seconds. And over time, it adds up to a nice little bonus fund. That’s what I love most – it rewards the quiet planners.
Your First Quiet Win Starts Here
You don’t have to go big. Just aim to earn your first £10 and see how that feels. No stress. No hustle. Just a simple win that proves you’re moving in the right direction.
That’s what I love about cashback – it doesn’t demand much, but it quietly rewards you anyway.
I saved up mine over a few months and bought a proper coffee machine. Now every morning, that first sip reminds me: small choices, stacked over time, do add up.
So here’s your next step:
Pick one cashback site (TopCashback is a solid start), sign up, and try it on your next online shop. That’s it.
One click. One win. One quiet step forward.
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